Gravity Weighted Blanket Review

Weighted blankets use pressure therapy to induce feelings of calm and relieve anxiety. Today we’re going to review the Gravity Blanket, a premium-grade weighted blanket that claims to improve sleep and mental well-being.

Pros

• Super soft texture
• Beautiful grid-like stitching
• Minimalist design
• Quality materials
• Equally distributed weight
• Machine-washable cover

Cons

• Can get hot (which is great in winter, not great in summer)
• The inner blanket is spot clean only

Score

The Design

The Gravity blanket is soft to touch and feels good on the skin, whether you’re sleeping or just cuddling up on the couch. It’s essentially a weighted insert with a duvet cover.

Currently, it comes in three different colors that are subtle enough to match most rooms:

• Grey
• Navy
• White

You can also choose from four sizes—15, 20, 25, and 35 pounds. The heaviest version is designed for queen/king beds.

Its interior is made of cotton and glass microbeads. The micro-plush duvet cover has an exterior fleece finish and a recessed zipper that runs along the edge of the blanket. You really cannot see it at all once it’s zipped up.

If you undo the zipper, you can get to the weighted insert. However, you’ll also need to unhook the perimeter clasps of the insert. This system keeps the blanket locked into place so it doesn’t slide around the duvet portion.

The blanket itself consists of multiple sealed chambers filled with small glass beads. Their role is to evenly distribute the pressure over your body for optimum comfort.

In terms of construction, the Gravity blanket looks and feels great. We were also impressed with its stitched grid pattern, which is pleasing to the eye.

Size and Weight

Except for the 35-pound model, this blanket is designed for single sleepers. Therefore, if you have a child or partner, you may need a second blanket. I have tested the 15-pound version, as it’s the lightest weight. 

Gravity recommends choosing a model that’s about 10% of your body weight. So, if you’re 200 pounds, you can go for the 20-pound version.

Use this chart for references:

• 100+ lbs: Choose a 15-pound blanket
• 180+ lbs: Go for a 20-pound blanket
• 230+ lbs: Select the 25-lbs Gravity Blanket 

The Queen/King version weighs 35 pounds and can be used by two people at once, making it suitable for couples. There’s also a child-sized version that weighs only 10 pounds. This model can be a good choice for travelers, too.

As far as sizing goes, the Gravity blanket has the following measurements:

• 15-, 20-, and 25-pound blanket: 72″ x 48″
• Queen/King Gravity Blanket: 90″ x 90″
• Travel/Kids version: 66″ x 42″

Note that a heavier or oversized model isn’t necessarily better.

The blanket should be large enough to cover your body without hanging off the side of your bed. If it’s too big or heavy, it might end up on the floor while you sleep. Plus, it may not provide the same amount of pressure as a smaller blanket.

Performance Testing

Gravity reports that more than 70% of its customers experienced better sleep and increased feelings of relaxation after using the blanket. Deep pressure stimulation, the concept behind this product, is said to boost serotonin and melatonin levels.

Serotonin, the so-called “feel-good” hormone, promotes mental well-being and reduces anxiety. It also regulates your mood and circadian rhythm, or internal clock. Melatonin, on the other hand, plays a key role in the sleep-wake cycle and reaches peak levels at night.

With that being said, I expected to get a better night’s rest thanks to the Gravity blanket. But that wasn’t the case.

My first test of this product was at the tail end of the Arizona summer when the weather is hot. Since I wasn’t sure how much I would like the extra weight, I decided to try the lightest version.

Overall, I didn’t really like it. But I wouldn’t say it’s a bad product.

First of all, the blanket is quite heavy (heavy as in a heat-retaining blanket) and tends to keep you warm. This is great when it’s cold, but not great when you need something more breathable for the summer.

Second, the fleece duvet holds a considerable amount of heat around the sleeper, too. I simply find this blanket uncomfortable during the summer.

However, I keep my house fairly warm in the summer to save money. If you keep your house at a more consistent temperature all year round, then you may find the Gravity Blanket perfectly fine for the hot summer nights.

Overall Weight

When I first tried the blanket, the weight itself was something I thought I might enjoy, but personally ended up not liking it.

Again, this could simply be exacerbated by the fact that it was making me warmer than I wanted to be.

During the night, I ended up removing certain portions of the blanket from my body to create a little more airflow and breathability. And to that end, the weighted design just wasn’t adding anything.

My wife also tested the Gravity Blanket for one night and wondered if there were versions that didn’t weigh as much. She was surprised when I told her this is the lightest version.

While there are lighter blankets on the market, many of them fall in the same range. It’s quite difficult to find anything below 20 pounds, but some brands offer 10-, 12-, 15-, or 18-pound models. Choosing one comes down to your individual needs. 

All of the above said, I know that weighted blankets are a beloved product by many. 

The physical characteristics, build quality, comfort, and overall design of the Gravity look and feel great. Without a doubt, the Gravity Blanket is an excellent choice for sleepers who enjoy the weighted feel. It’s a matter of personal preference. It didn’t work great for me, but I can certainly see the appeal for sleepers who enjoy the added weight while sleeping.

Can the Gravity blanket help you sleep better?

Gravity says that 76% of those who use its flagship product report falling asleep faster and feeling more rested in the morning.

The research is limited, but one study suggests that weighted blankets may have a calming effect and reduce anxiety levels. Less anxiety equals better sleep.

Again, it all comes down to your preferences. Personally, I didn’t sleep very well during my tests with Gravity. I ended up having to discontinue the test during the night after being unable to stay asleep for nearly three hours.

Perhaps my experience would have been different if I lived in a colder climate or tried the Gravity Blanket during the winter. But even so, the blanket is supposed to be used year-round, so the warm weather shouldn’t be an issue.

All in all, if you’re not a fan of heavier blankets or you simply don’t need a warmer blanket, you should think twice before this kind of product.

Like any sleep product, the Gravity weighted blanket isn’t a silver bullet. It will work wonders for some, and not so much for others.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleaning the Gravity Blanket is pretty straightforward. The microfiber cover is machine-washable—just make sure you use non-chlorine bleach.

Ideally, wash the protective cover alone or along with other garments in similar colors. Clean it every two weeks or more often if you have a skin disorder or allergy.

The inner blanket should only be spot cleaned. Since it consists of microbeads, it’s more prone to damage during washing. Plus, it might be too heavy for the average washer.

You may try to clean the weighted insert by hand, but it won’t be easy. The lightest version weighs 25 pounds, so you might have a hard time handling it. 

Also, note that it takes some time and effort to fit the blanket back inside the duvet cover. Expect to spend at least 10 minutes on this task. 

Is the Gravity Blanket a Good Value?

Overall, I would say that the Gravity Blanket offers good value for the money. It’s durable and soft to touch, with a plush finish that feels good on your skin. Plus, it comes in neutral colors and can be a good choice for minimalist homes. 

Both the weighted insert and the protective cover are made from high-quality materials. The downside is that they tend to retain heat and may not be the best option for hot sleepers. 

However, Gravity offers several other products that are more suitable for those who tend to warm up at night or live in warm climates. The Gravity Cooling Weighted Blanket, for example, features a moisture-wicking fabric that allows for increased airflow. 

Should You Buy the Gravity Blanket?

Personally, I like the design and overall feel of this weighted blanket. On top of that, it’s easy to maintain and has a soft texture that makes it ideal for those cozy nights when you’re watching TV. 

I would recommend Gravity if you’re looking for the following in a weighted blanket:

• Minimalist design: The Gravity blanket has a simple design, with grid stitching and neutral colors. It matches just about any room. 
• Machine-washable cover: The fleece cover is removable and machine-washable, which allows you to clean it at regular intervals. 
• Soft texture: The protective cover feels super soft against your skin. Other weighted blankets have a rougher texture and may cause discomfort. 
• You want a blanket that keeps you warm: The Gravity Blanket tends to retain heat, making it suitable for cold sleepers. It’s also a good choice for the winter months.

For more information on the Gravity blanket, see this page.